Transport device for band and/or strip-shaped material

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a transport device ( 1 ) for band and/or strip-shaped material, in particular films, comprising at least one horizontal guide system ( 2 ) having a feed unit ( 3 ) which comprises a vertical guide system ( 4 ) which is connected, directly or indirectly, to at least one gripper ( 6 ) by means of an arm ( 5 ), a track ( 8 ) can be freely selected.

The invention relates to a feeder for a web and/or strip according to the features of the preambles of the independent patent claims.

WO 2005/105635 [US 2007/0163699] discloses a method and apparatus for processing a film web. In this context, the film web is initially cut longitudinally. The part referred to as the main film web is engaged by a gripper and feeder. The gripped film travels along a predetermined path on a rail system along a side of the roller arrangement and threads the film web through the roller arrangement. What is disadvantageous is that the film web is cut and the gripper and feeder can only be moved along a “mechanically” fixed predetermined track.

DE 197 07 427 [GB 2,322,361] describes a device for pulling a material web, in particular a film, into a processing machine including guide rollers, from which the web is deflected. To this end, a clamping element is fixed to the start of the film and is moved along the rollers using a pull belt that extends next to the guide rollers and substantially in the running plane of the web. The mounting of the guide rollers and the guide elements for the pull belt is very complex and only allows a movement of the film web along a predetermined fixed path.

WO 2002/102594 [U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,437] describes a method and an apparatus for pulling in a web. In this apparatus, a start of a web end protrudes in a web-processing operating machine, laterally beyond an alignment line, with a cutting device for severing the start of the web end from the pull-in means being provided, and in addition to the pull-in means, a transport system that grips the severed start is provided. This device relies on the formation of a web point and is therefore complex in terms of the feed of material.

The object of the invention is to provide a feeder for a web and/or strip that is improved over that of the prior art.

This object is achieved by a feeder for a web and/or strip having the features of the independent claims.

In one embodiment, the feeder according to the invention comprises a horizontal guide that is provided for example above rollers of the roller arrangement. The horizontal guide supports a carriage that travels in the x direction horizontally and parallel to the roller arrangement. A vertical guide is provided on the carriage. The vertical guide carries an arm moveable in the z direction. The arm carries a gripper designed so as to be moveable in the y direction. The gripper grips the material and moves with part of the feeder along a path. The path starts for example at the output of a stretcher. The gripper further moves with the feeder along a pull-off device that is part of the roller arrangement. While doing this, the gripper travels around rollers that are part of the roller arrangement. The aim is for the gripper to hand the material over to a winder that is at the downstream end of the roller arrangement.

It is advantageous that the feeder or the gripper has three degrees of freedom (in the x, y and z directions according to a Cartesian coordinate system). The path of the gripper or of the feeder can be freely programmed. The gripper can grip the material, in particular strip-shaped material, at any desired point in the y direction transverse to the path. It is not absolutely necessary to cut the material web, at least not to a certain shape.

The feeder according to the invention may be retrofitted to any desired roller arrangement. As a result of the use of the feeder, operational safety in this production area is significantly enhanced because the operator's task is taken over by the feeder. The operator no longer has to run along the roller arrangement in order to feed the material, for example from the stretcher to the winder. Also, transfer rates can be substantially increased by the use of the feeder according to the invention. Also the scrap rate is reduced because the starting process can be repeated by the feeder in a reproducible manner.

In one embodiment, the horizontal guide for the carriage of the feeder is provided above the roller arrangement. This allows the horizontal guide to be mounted on the existing support elements for the suspended rollers (“stalactites”). If the feeder is not in use, the space next to the roller arrangement is accessible to the operator as before. The feeder can be moved completely out of the operating area.

In a further embodiment, a horizontal guide is provided on the floor next to the roller arrangement. It is for example recessed in the floor, like in the case of forklift trucks, and is in engagement with the feeder only via a gap.

It is also conceivable to mount the horizontal guide anywhere in the entire region between the floor and the upper region of the roller stand.

The feeder and the gripper may be designed in such a way that as a result of forming a cutout in the mesh next to the roller arrangement for the operator, access to the material is provided. Thus, if the feeder is not in use, the material can continue to be guided through the roller arrangement by the operator.

Automation of the material transfer can be carried out for example by using a robot, e.g. a KUKA robot.

The rate at which the material is fed may be synchronized with the speed of the feeder or of the gripper.

A force and/or tension measurement may be carried out on the gripper for the material in order to prevent any damage to the feeder. Further, process parameters for the production process may be acquired in this way.

In terms of “overload protection,” a material release function as protection against destruction may be provided on the gripper of the feeder.

In a further embodiment of the feeder, the transfer of the material is carried out between the stretcher and the grinder. In as far as plastic is processed as the material, the grinder is used for feeding the scrap material for recycling.

In a further embodiment of the feeder, the material is picked up in the form of an uncut film. The advantage here is that the edge is reinforced and the gripper therefore experiences improved retention.

The start impulse for the feeder can be provided manually by the operator or automatically on the basis of process parameters.

As an alternative to a feeder with three degrees of freedom (x, y and z direction), a feeder with two degrees of freedom (x and z direction) may also be used. In such a feeder, the access point of the gripper on the material is defined and predetermined.

As a result of the use of the feeder according to the invention, production rates of 500 m/min to 600 m/min may be achieved.

The feeder according to the invention may be used during retraction of the pull-off device.

The feeder according to the invention enhances operator safety and increases performance because the feeder is more secure, more reliable and faster than an operator.

The material can be evaluated using a thickness measurement device. On the basis of the specifications, the feeder can then automatically take up the material from the scrap winder and can feed it to the production winder for good material.

If the feeder is a robot (e.g. a KUKA robot) a suspended mounting of rollers in the roller arrangement may be dispensed with. In this embodiment, the feeder is equipped with two grippers in order to move around the support mechanism for the stationary rollers (“stalagmites”). The elevated rollers may alternatively also be bypassed using two feeders according to the invention. These will then share for example a guide system, so that one feeder will move up to the elevated roller and the further transport system will take over the material downstream of the roller and will transport it on. After transfer at the roller, the material can be handed to the first feeder, in order to allow further elevated rollers to be bypassed with just two feeders. However, it is also conceivable to use more than two feeders in the same horizontal guide or with separate horizontal guides.

Alternatively, also a so-called loading belt may be passed through the roller arrangement. The loading belt may be made from a material that is different from the material that is to be passed through the roller arrangement. The loading belt is for example fixedly connected to the material by the operator and is then passed to the feeder. However, this process may also be carried out automatically. A loading belt constitutes a secure possibility for feeding material into a roller arrangement.

As a result of the use of a feeder according to the invention with at least three degrees of freedom for example a central end guide of the material can be carried out. Due to the gripper, retention security is enhanced. The transfer rate can be substantially increased by the use of the feeder according to the invention. The development of lead sections, and thus the production of scrap, is reduced.

As a result of the use of the feeder according to the invention, production plants with an auxiliary winder (scrap winder) may be designed and constructed. An auxiliary winder is used for taking up the lead products, until good material is delivered to the plant. The feeder can be used to load the auxiliary winder and to load the production winder. Since the auxiliary winder is preferably provided downstream of the production winder, the production winder can be bypassed by using two feeders. Even in the case of faults occurring during the ongoing production process, no scrap therefore needs to be fed to the production winder. The production roller remains ready for use with each start-up procedure. The quality of the material already produced on the production roller is not reduced by the intervening winding up of scrap. Cutting of scrap off the production roller is completely eliminated. There will be no scrap on the winding core for good material. The scrap material from the auxiliary winder can be supplied for recycling during the ongoing production.

In one embodiment, a feeder with a telescopic arm is provided for transferring the material to the scrap winder.

In one embodiment, the path of the feeder is freely programmable. For example, the handling of the material by the operator can be reproduced in an automated manner. Also, depending on the requirements in the production process, rollers may be bypassed, i.e. may be avoided.

The gripper of the feeder can be provided with two or more jaws or fingers. These may be provided with a textured and/or slip-resistant material.

According to the invention the feeder for a web and/or strip, in particular film, comprises at least one horizontal guide with a carriage that in turn includes a vertical guide that is directly or indirectly connected to at least one gripper via an arm, and its path is freely selectable. As a result of the free selectability of the path, the operator's path can be reproduced and the feeder can be retrofitted to almost any existing plant. Thus, a very flexible feeder for a web and/or strip may be provided.

Further, according to the invention the feeder has two degrees of freedom in the x and the z direction. These two degrees of freedom are already sufficient to reproduce the sequence of movements of an operator. Also, in this way, upgrade solutions for existing plants are provided.

Further, according to the invention the feeder has three degrees of freedom in the x, y and z directions. The additional degree of freedom in the y direction for example allows the material to be gripped centrally.

Further, according to the invention the gripper has force- and/or tension-measurement sensors. Corresponding sensors on the gripper make possible a precise control of the feeder.

Further, according to the invention the gripper has a textured and/or slip-resistant surface. As a result of a corresponding design of the gripper surface, a secure guiding of the a web and/or strip in the feeder is ensured.

It is further provided according to the invention that the gripper has an overload function. As a result of the overload function, any damage or even destruction of the feeder and/or the plant is virtually eliminated.

It is further provided according to the invention that the feeder is equipped with a telescopic arm. A telescopic arm can move around for example rollers or stands.

It is further provided according to the invention that the horizontal guide is provided above the roller arrangement. As a result of a positioning of the horizontal guide above the roller arrangement, the space underneath remains free for accessing the plant or the roller arrangement.

It is further provided according to the invention that the carriage is displaced along the horizontal guide by a motor. As a result of the motorized traversing of the carriage, very high pull-in rates can be achieved. Therefore, the feeder is independent of the operator.

Further according to the invention the path follows the travel of a manual operator. As a result of reproducing operator handling by the feeder, the feeder can be retrofitted to existing plants or roller arrangements.

Further details of the invention will be explained with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a roller arrangement with a feeder according to the invention for a web and/or strip,

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the roller arrangement with a feeder according to the invention for a web and/or strip, and

FIG. 3 shows a mesh with a cutout for engagement of the feeder according to the invention.

In the description following below, terms such as top, bottom, left, right, front, rear etc. exclusively relate to the illustration chosen in the figures by way of example and to the position of the device and of other elements. These terms are not to be understood in a limiting sense, i.e. these references may change as a result of different positions and/or a mirror symmetrical layout or the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a roller arrangement 9 with a feeder 1 according to the invention for a web and/or strip 7. The feeder 1 has a horizontal guide 2 that is provided for example above the rollers 10 of the roller arrangement 9. The horizontal guide 2 carries a carriage 3 movable in an x direction horizontally and parallel to the roller arrangement 9. A vertical guide 4 is provided on the carriage 3. An arm 5 on the vertical guide 4 is moveable in a z direction. The arm 5 carries a gripper 6 that is designed so as to be moveable in a y direction. The gripper 6 grips the material 7 and moves it as part of the feeder 1 along a path 8. The path 8 starts at an output 11 of a stretcher. Moreover, the gripper 6 moves, as part of the feeder 1, along a drawing device 12 that is part of the roller arrangement 9. In doing so, the gripper 6 bypasses the rollers 10 that are part of the roller arrangement 9. The aim is the transfer of the material 7 by the gripper 6 to a winder 13 located at the end of the roller arrangement 9.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the roller arrangement 9. What can be seen clearly here is the arm 5 of the feeder 1.

FIG. 3 shows a mesh 14 as protection against any access to the roller arrangement 9. The mesh 14 has a cutout 15 that allows the gripper 6 of the feeder 1 to access the material 7. Further, within the cutout 15, the path 8 for the material 7 is marked. Reference numeral 16 identifies bearings for rollers 10 of the roller arrangement 9.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment example shown above, but various embodiment possibilities for a feeder according to the invention for a web and/or strip are conceivable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Feeder -   2 Horizontal guide -   3 Carriage -   4 Vertical guide -   5 Arm/Guide system -   6 Gripper -   7 Material -   8 Path -   9 Roller arrangement -   10 Roller -   11 Exit stretcher (TDO) -   12 Pull-off device (TUT) -   13 Winder -   14 Mesh -   15 Cutout -   16 Bearing -   x Direction of movement (horizontal) -   y Direction of movement (horizontal) -   z Direction of movement (vertical) 

1. A feeder for a web and/or strip, the feeder comprising: at least one horizontal guide; a carriage horizontally movable along the horizontal guide; a vertical guide carried on the carriage; an arm projecting from and vertically displaceable along the vertical guide; a gripper directly or indirectly connected to the arm, and displaceable by horizontal movement of the carriage on the horizontal guide and vertical movement of the arm on the vertical guide along an at least two-dimensional path that is freely selected.
 2. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper has two degrees of freedom in x and the z directions.
 3. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeder has three degrees of freedom in x, y and z directions.
 4. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper has force and/or tension measurement sensors.
 5. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper has a textured and/or slip-resistant surface.
 6. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper has an overload function.
 7. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm is telescopic arm.
 8. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal guide is above the roller arrangement.
 9. The feeder as claimed claim 1, further comprising: a motor for displacing the carriage along the horizontal guide.
 10. The feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the path follows the travel of a manual operator. 